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Thursday, 14 January 2010

Our Thoughts Go Out to Haiti

Global disasters are never good, but this latest one seems particularly cruel—the epicenter of the quake being right next to a population center, in a country so poor that many of its structures are substandard and its medical system can't handle the normal flow of ordinary medical emergencies—and that's with its infrastructure intact and the power on. News of disaster of this magnitude can't help but cast a pall over the daily lives of every one of us, the world around. What can be done? Suck it up and pull together what you can in the way of a donation to do your tiny part, and hope for the best. Our thoughts and concern and prayers to those in Haiti, and those with loved ones there.

Mike

UPDATE: Here's a link to a page for donations to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an
international independent medical humanitarian organization that
is delivering emergency aid in Haiti. It's a secure page and there is a phone number as an alternative; MSF notes that there is "fraudulent activity" happening in the field of Haitian emergency relief.

...Which, I must say, totally boggles the mind. There are thousands of hurt and scared people slowly dying underneath the rubble of collapsed buildings, and other people are trying to send money to help them, and some thief is going to interpose himself into that process and steal that money? How does a human being spend money gotten in that way? That is truly, truly depraved.

In any event, MSF has worked in Haiti for years and is a reputable organization well positioned to help. I've made a donation on behalf of TOP readers from the website's working petty cash fund.

Another excellent choice for a donation is Partners In Health, the organization co-founded by Dr. Paul Farmer, whose work, mainly in Haiti, was the subject of Tracy Kidder's excellent 2003 book Mountains Beyond Mountains. PIH have set up an earthquake relief page here.

Featured Comment by Michel: "I would like to encourage everyone who makes a donation to a charity organisation to check with their employer's HR or philanthropy department to see if they will match their donation. Many employers do—it's usual for any 501(c)(3) registered organisation (in the U.S.)—but it is surprising how few people are aware. There's a website out there called matchinggifts.com that can help looking this up, but it is very slow today. Perhaps that's indicative of many people already searching the database."

Comments

I have been watching a lot of the rolling news since the the quake struck and I can picture a sea of Photojournalists heading out to Haiti, some of the results will no doubt be entered in to next years world press photo, contest. That will sit easier with me if it were a bi-product of trying to aid the people of Haiti. I'm sure that's a naive and idealistic point of view, you've got to go where the pictures are.

In these cynical times it's good to see the world rally round in support for the people of Haiti. I hope it's swift and lasting and I hope good journalism makes it all the swifter and longer still

I agree, we all need to consider making a donation ASAP, discussing camera equipment, printers, etc. needs to be put on hold. Instead of wondering what we should purchase next we should take half that dollar amount and donate it to the people of Haiti. I can't imagine the daily struggle for simple needs like water, food, clothing and yes my employer does match my contribution, always has.

In case you want to give money and do not know where I would like to suggest Partners in Health (http://www.pih.org).

That organization was founded by Paul Farmer, who, if you don't know about him, has worked in Haiti for decades. He has built clinics in the most desolate places in Haiti, where there were no trees due to environmental degradation and the people is the poorest of the poor. There Haitian doctors are trained, and the best possible care is given to everyone.

His major contribution has been, however, to realize that not until the reality of the people, their culture, their religion and customs are understood the help one can give may be misplaced or detrimental. Effective help starts by knowing who you are helping and what is that they really need.

Paul Farmer has also been appointed by President Clinton as special envoy for Haiti. However what I know about him has come from my friendship to the wife of Tracy Kidder who wrote Mountains Beyond Mountains, which is, among other things, an account of Paul Farmer's work in Haiti. I am sure my friend and Tracy are currently doing as much as they can to help Haiti. I just want to make my little contribution.

Needless to say, if you decide to give your money or help to anyone else that is helping in Haiti, please do so, I am just giving one suggestion for people that may not have a clear idea. One organization cannot help a whole country, a lot more is needed.

For those whose employers don't provide matching funds, it's worth noting that Small Dog Electronics is accepting donations to Doctors Without Borders/MSF on their website and will match donations up to $200. I don't know how long they can afford to do this, but for now that's what they're doing.http://www.smalldog.com/product/42760/donation-to-doctors-without-borders

In case any fellow Canadians missed it on the news:
The federal government has announced today that they will be matching Canadians' donations to eligible Canadian charitable organizations in support of humanitarian and recovery efforts in response to the earthquake in Haiti up to a combined total of $100 million.

The suggestion to check with your HR department before making a donation is a good one. Our company is matching all employee donations up to $1,000. Right now, the maximum match is $500,000 but I've seen that raised in the past.
We have the option of designating the recipient among the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Unicef and Save the Children.
It's unfortunate that some people see this disaster as a way to turn a profit. Their time will come.

Tragic events but good to see people reaching out to help. What makes an interesting comparison is the lack of coverage of the equally tragic Samoa Tsunami Sep 2009 I guess this demonstrates the insular attitudes of America.